In
December SFSU awarded eight former student-athletes and coaches with
the school's highest athletic honor -- induction into the Athletics Hall
of Fame. Former stars from wrestling, baseball, soccer, track and field,
football and golf, as well as a contributor to the athletics program,
were honored at a campus ceremony before friends, family, colleagues
and other Hall of Famers.

The evening became an oral history of the institution, according to
Athletics Director Mike Simpson, who served as the master of ceremonies.
All inductees spoke about their years at State and frequently expressed
appreciation for the great education they received.

Arnold Vezzani ('42) planned to attend State for a semester so he could
save money for a transfer to UC Berkeley. But the member of the first-ever
Gator soccer team fell in love with the campus and never left. He also
played on the baseball team and broke the school record for batting average,
a distinction he held for 50 years. Vezzani was also a member of the
varsity debate team and Sigma Alpha Eta Fraternity as well as president
of the Newman Club and 1942 senior class.

A football player under head coach Joe Verducci and one of the top golfers
at SFSU, John Sochor ('57) was named to the First Team All-Conference
and was the Gator's number one rusher and touchdown leader in his senior
year.

Far Western Conference Heavyweight Champion for two years, fourth place
finisher at the '72 Olympic Trials, and National AAU Freestyle and Greco-Roman
Champion in '73, Mack McGrady ('75) was a wrestling phenomenon. He also
played football as a defensive tackle and was a member of the track team
and Judo Club.

Reggie Redmond ('77) was a linebacker for the Gator football team under
the direction of legendary head coach Vic Rowen. During his senior year,
he received Honorable Mention All-American honors as well as All-League
honors.

The only woman of the group, Ruth Whitehead ('86) stood out in track
and field. A two-time All-American in the 100-meter hurdles, she has
held the school record in the 400-meter hurdles since she set it in her
senior year.

Dean Williams ('86) was one of the Gator baseball team’s
All-Americans. During his senior year, he was the Northern California
Athletic Conference
(NCAC) Player of the Year and received First Team All-NCAC honors. He
holds countless school records, including fourth in home runs (16), fourth
in runs batted in (97), sixth in hits (151) and sixth in walks (69).

A professional player for the Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia
Phillies and Texas Rangers, Essex Burton ('91) got his start at State.
Nicknamed "Gas" for
his incredible speed, Burton is the school single-season record holder
for runs scored with 61 during the 1990 season. He is also the school
career stolen base leader with 72. While in the minor-leagues, he stole
more bases than any minor- or major-league player, for two years in a
row.

Finally, James Southam was honored as one of SFSU’s
most supportive and contributing faculty members. The faculty athletic
representative
during the '70s and '80s, Southam also announced home events, served
as a track meet official and timer for both football and wrestling teams.
He was an academic adviser for student-athletes in business and math
and was a generous financial contributor. He was the first president
of the NCAC.